Moscow says 4,500 Russian, ex-Soviet nationals in Islamic State ranks - RIA

A member loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa June 29, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian military believes up to 4,500 Russian and ex-Soviet nationals were fighting for the Islamic State militant group in early 2015, the RIA news agency quoted Russian army official Sergei Rudskoy as saying on Wednesday. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Andrew Osborn)